Bournemouth vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Eddie Howe, manager of Bournemouth looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town at Vitality Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Southampton travel to South Coast ‘rivals’ Bournemouth on the back of a heartbreaking last minute 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium against table-topping Manchester City on Wednesday.

The visit comes almost a year after Saints’ memorable 3-1 win over the Cherries, with Jay Rodriguez scoring a brilliant brace to secure all three points. Manager Mauricio Pellegrino will be looking for a similar result this Sunday to rebuild a rapport with fans after a poor start to the season.

The Saints will be looking to re-enter the top half of the Premier League table – after their stomping 4-1 home win over Everton lifted them out of relative danger. Bournemouth find themselves in a dangerous position, just four points from the drop zone and with trips to Manchester United and City to come in the festive period.

After he was benched for the visit to the Etihad, Charlie Austin will surely be reinstated up front after his two-goal performance at St. Mary’s last Sunday. Austin will offer an aerial presence up front, which has been unprecedented so far this season.

Cherries hotshot Callum Wilson will be looking for revenge on Sunday, and is in fine form after scoring a hattrick against Huddersfield in November. Bournemouth had gone three games unbeaten prior to their loss against Burnley on Wednesday, and will be looking to record a vital three points against Saints before their dire run of tricky games in the lead up to 2018.